At least 43 people have been confirmed dead, and millions are without power after Hurricane Helene tore through the southeastern United States on Friday. The storm, which made landfall overnight Thursday, hit Florida's Big Bend region with record-breaking intensity before moving north through Georgia and the Carolinas.
Rescue operations continue across the affected states, as emergency crews use boats, helicopters, and large vehicles to reach stranded individuals. In Tennessee, 50 workers and patients were rescued from the roof of a flooded hospital in Erwin after being trapped by the rising Nolichucky River. Georgia's Governor Brian Kemp reported that a suspected tornado killed two people and overturned a mobile home in Wheeler County.
With its powerful winds and storm surge reaching up to 15 feet in some areas, Helene left behind widespread devastation. Roads and homes were submerged, including in Florida’s Pinellas County, where five people were killed. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis confirmed other deaths due to falling road signs and trees. Georgia suffered 15 fatalities, and South Carolina recorded 17 deaths, with two fatalities in North Carolina.
The storm, initially a category four hurricane, weakened after six hours but continues to threaten the region with high winds, floods, and the possibility of landslides. The National Hurricane Center warned that up to 20 inches of rain could still fall in some areas, prolonging the risk of further destruction.
Power outages have affected over three million homes and businesses across the region, and more than 150 roads remain closed in Georgia alone. As rescue operations continue, FEMA urged residents to remain vigilant, warning that despite the storm weakening, the danger is far from over.
Helene, the 14th most powerful hurricane on record to hit the US, comes amid predictions from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) of an intense hurricane season, with the possibility of up to 25 named storms before the season ends on November 30.
As communities begin the recovery process, officials are emphasizing the importance of following local safety guidelines and remaining indoors until all dangers subside.